Concern over Aberdeen night parking charges

TRANSPORT bosses today asked councillors to think twice about a parking shake-up for Aberdeen.

The transport partnership Nestrans has raised concerns about extending Aberdeen street parking charges into the evening.

Aberdeen City Council is also considering charging people £1.50 to leave vehicles overnight in council-owned car parks, including Gallowgate, East North Street and Denburn.

The authority’s enterprise, planning and infrastructure convener Kate Dean has said the change may encourage more people to use buses but Nestrans transport strategy manager Rab Dickson said the rule change could create congestion.

Mr Dickson said Nestrans agreed “in principle” with extending charges because the early evening was now seen as part of the commercial day. But he warned charging people to use car parks overnight could flood the streets with cars.

He said: “It may be necessary to reconsider the issue of an overnight charge in off-street car parks when on-street parking is free.

“This would encourage more drivers to park on-street with impacts on free flow of traffic.”

Nestrans also warned the council about converting East North Street car park from long-stay to short-stay.

Mr Dickson said: “It will require the council to satisfy businesses in the area that there are sufficient alternatives for long-stay parking in the area.”

An Aberdeen City Council spokeswoman said: “Consultation responses will be collated and a report will be put to elected members.”

Nestrans will discuss the council’s proposals at a board meeting on Monday.

dewen@ajl.co.uk